JULY 2023

From the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator

Welcome to the latest newsletter from the Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator and the Merri Creek Management Committee. Please find below information on local initiatives, opportunities and funding.

To subscribe see link below.

If you would like to share photos, events, updates and projects through the Upper Merri Landcare News. Please email through your submissions to: chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Recent events

City meets the country - Landcare & NAB Tree Planting Day

Volunteers from the National Australia Bank recently travelled to Upper Plenty to help plant 200 indigenous plants on the property of a Upper Plenty Merri Landcare member. After a good mornings work, the team appreciated the very nice lunch put on by the landowner Michael. 
Plants were kindly supplied with funding from Fifteen Trees. https://15trees.com.au/

Our Lady of the Way Primary School Junior landcare

Students from the Our Lady of the Way Primary School recently built 10 nesting boxes for wildlife. The students had a great time and did a very good job at building the boxes which will provide homes around the school grounds and along the nearby Wallan Creek for native animals including sugar gliders, ringtail possums, parrots and owlet nightjars.
A big thank you to Dominique Vassallo the Bunnings Craigieburn Activities Organiser for organising the donation of all the timber and hardware.

Coming up

Landcare National Tree Day - Saturday 29th July.

Meet opposite 165 Munts Rd Upper Plenty.
Address link: https://goo.gl/maps/96JASS8HC15LG4c48
Morning tea will be provided.
Please bring your own gloves and wear sturdy footwear or gumboots.
RSVP to Chris Cobern 0413 855 490 or email: chriscobern@mcmc.org.au
You can also register at our official NTD site: https://treeday.planetark.org/site/10027728
COVIDSafe advice:
Do not attend the activity if you are unwell with cold/flu symptoms.
Do not attend if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID19 in the last 7 days. 

Wallan Environment Group National Tree Day - Sunday 30th July.

A community-planting day to improve the biodiversity along Taylors Creek Reserve, King William Drive Wallan.
We will be doing in-fill planting in areas along Taylors Creek that were first planted by Wallan Environment Group about 15 years ago.
This year we hope to get around 1,000 plants (mosty understorey species) in the ground.
RSVP to secretary.weg@gmail.com or 0429 565 070.
You can also register at their official NTD site: https://treeday.planetark.org/site/10028887

Landcare Week 2023 Celebration Dinner - Tuesday 8th August

On Tuesday 8 August the Whittlesea, Kinglake & Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Groups will be coming together to celebrate Landcare Week 2023. Guest speakers will be two local long-time Landcarers Rod Cavanagh and Roger Cook. Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm
Where: Whittlesea Community Activity Centre 57 Laurel St, Whittlesea
RSVP: Landcare@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or Ph: 0437 345 475
Please advise of any dietary needs when booking.
Dinner and soft drinks provided. BYO other drinks.

Rabbit Management Session - 14 October 

Join Landcare and the Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) presenter, Neil Devanney for an information session on how to manage rabbits on your property.
We will look at the various control techniques that can be applied on your property and the technical side of effective rabbit control including:
• 'how big is the problem?' importance of monitoring
• how to knock down numbers effectively
• warren and harbour destruction
• the importance of follow up control
• and the strategic application of these components of control
When: Saturday 14th October
Time: 10AM to 2PM.
Where: The Shack, Wallan-Whittlesea Road, Upper Plenty
RSVP to Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator Chris Cobern on 0413 855 490 or chriscobern@mcmc.org.au

Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group

UPMC Landcare Group meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month at The Shack, 1240 Wallan Rd Upper Plenty.

Interested in becoming a Landcare member? 
Did you know being a landcare member can give you access to funding for weeds / revegetation / fencing, and access to a variety of field days and workshops for knowledge learning and sharing.
As well as a social connection to your local community and neighbours.

Link to the Upper Plenty Merri Catchments Landcare Group (UPMC) Facebook page here.

For UPMC Landcare Group membership enquires contact membership.upmclg@gmail.com

Funding & grants

Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party - Community Grants 

The Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party (VSTWP) is providing community groups and organisations with the opportunity to apply for grants to manage serrated tussock.
Grants of up to $5,000 (GST excluded) are available to deliver a project which meets the priorities and criteria outlined in these guidelines.
Please see the guidelines and application form below, which includes how to submit the grant application, contact details and the criteria for assessment.

Grants are currently open for application: 
Apply here: VSTWP Community Grant Application form
Guidelines here: VSTWP Community Grant Guidelines